Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ok, so, yes, first off, I know there are no tables in the courtyard, but drama demanded a table and so.... uses author privileges to conjure a table in the back of the courtyard. 

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"Mari, I can't do it anymore!" Adrien whined, throwing himself at her feet, head falling into her lap. "Please, I just...*sigh* can we do your plan now, please?!" He looked up to see her raise a brow at his dramatics. 

Marinette looked around the courtyard, trying to see just what could have caused her kitty to be distressed. The sun beat down into the open courtyard, Its position illuminated the courtyard, allowing her to see all of her surroundings. It seemed like a normal day to her. Students walking in and out during the break, birds chirping, and Lila loudly and obnoxiously proclaiming she had single-handedly done  something  that saved the planet yesterday. Nothing new there. Sighing, she turned her attention back to Adrien.

"Why the dramatics, Kitty? You're the one who wanted to be a spy." She replied, setting her sketchbook back into the bag beside her on the bench. 

Adrien had insisted on doing "Recon" and playing distraction as he always did for her alter ego. Marinette had agreed but refused to leave Adrien without backup near the viper, which led to Marinette keeping to herself in the courtyard and trying to avoid Lila dragging her into any more lies. Honestly, Marinette would prefer to take her boyfriend (not that their friends knew they were dating yet) home or to the park and avoid all the drama. 

You see, after the failed expulsion, Lila decided to go for subtler methods to destroy her friendships and reputation. Mainly little barbed comments whenever Lila saw her. Lately, Lila had escalated a bit by crying in the class group chat about things Marinette has supposedly said or done to her. Marinette had heard about it after the fact from Alya, who said, "Lila must have "accidentally' left you out, Girl. I'll talk to her and remind her kay?" 

Half the class seemed wary of the sudden influx of complaints, while the others comforted Lila but never went beyond lecturing Marinette about being nicer to Lila. Only Kim and Sabrina took Lila's word as law, thankfully. Unfortunately, that meant that they had begun tripping her in the halls the last few weeks. 

But back to the present, Adrien was managing to pout and fume at the same time. Marinette thought it was cute. She grew more concerned as he stood up. "She tried to kiss me today, Bug! Isn't it enough that my arm is bleeding from how hard she grabbed it today?!" He ended by throwing his arms up, a deep frown in place. 

"She what?!" Marinette said, her voice cold and dangerous as she bolted onto her feet. Adrien's green eyes widened in fear.  'Oh shoot! I forgot how protective she gets.'  He thought as he raised his hands to chest level, palms out in a pacifying gesture that went ignored. "Wait, Mari! It's not too bad, really! It doesn't hurt that much anymore..." His arm moved to rub his neck as he spoke nervously. 

"Show me," Marinette growled, eyes narrowing until he scrambled to roll up his sleeve. Marinette stared at the crescent-shaped indents, two of which had small trails of blood running from them.

 "I'm going to kill her." She finally says in an icy calm voice that was absolutely terrifying. Her hands curled into shaking fists. The longer she stared, the colder her eyes got. The vibrating in her hands traveled to encompass her small body. 

Suddenly her eyes snap toward the liar as her cringy laugh rose from her circle across the courtyard. "I am going to kill her and have Chat Noir cataclysm her remains." She hissed, taking a step in that direction.

Adrien paled before grabbing her shoulders, turning her back toward him. "Mari, NO! Superheros do not hurt or kill civilians!" Marinette locked eyes with him again, fury written all over her face. "She is not a civilian. She is a demon! Why did I agree to let you play distraction for me?! It didn't even work..." She muttered, the last bit trailing off as it registered what she had said. 

Adrien watched as the anger drained instantly, replaced with panic and a nervous smile. He was confused by the quick switch until he went back over her words. Now it was Adrien's turn to narrow his eyes and frown as she fidgeted. 

"I-I mean...It totally helps! I-I m-mean..." Marinette babbled, looking around for anything to distract him to no avail.

 "Marinette, what do you mean it didn't work? What has she done?!" Adrien growled, glaring over at Lila before returning his attention to Mari.

Marinette blanched under his glare before suddenly finding her shoes fascinating, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "I Uh N-n-nothing m-mu-much... she just... and the class... really, its nothing?" She finally mumbled out, cringing at the silent question mark at the end.

"Marinette," Adrien said softly, anger barely suppressed. "You promised no more secrets. How can I protect you, Princess, if you don't tell me when something is wrong? Haven't I proven I believe you and will stand by you no matter what?" Gently Adrien placed his hand under her chin and lifted it before sliding it along her jaw to cup her cheek so Marinette would look at him. "Talk to me, Princess."

Unbeknownst to them, Lila was watching with narrowed eyes at the intimacy with which they spoke. She quickly switched to her 'sweet' smile as the group looked back at her after Alya eagerly asked her a question. Silently Lila decided that she would need to try harder to bring Adrien to heel for her. Maybe a word to his father again, about him disrespecting Lila because of Marinette...hmm two birds one stone...

Marinette stared into Adrien's eyes. She saw his frustration and sadness and sighed. Shifting to hold herself unconsciously, she answered him honestly, "She threatened me in the bathroom a couple of times and tried to push me down the entry steps... and may have convinced some of the class to trip me..." She mumbled, just loud enough for him to hear her. She was avoiding eye contact again, ashamed to have kept it from him and for not protecting herself. So she missed Adrien's shock and instant rage. 

"This. Ends. Now!" He hissed, turning towards the Liar's 'court' table and stalking off. Mari gasped, wide-eyed at the venom in his voice before registering his movement and running after him. 

“Kitty, wait!” He didn't show any signs of hearing her, continuing to stalk toward the viper and scowling. Kim saw him coming first and stood up, walking towards him. “Adrien! ma' man, what's up?” 

Adrien ignored him, pushing past him, confusing the boy. Marinette caught up to him just as he slammed his hands into the table before Lila. 

“Adrien, wait, no…” She got out, hand reaching for him before he spoke over her.

“You broke your promise, Rossi. No, that's too mild a statement. You razed it. Now it's time for your little game to end!” His voice was so cold that everyone around the table stepped or sat back a little and shivered. No one had seen this side of Adrien before, and frankly, the class was in shock.

“A-Adrien, I don't know what you're talking about!” Lila responded with a tight smile and narrowing eyes. "I- I don't understand why you're being so mean to me all of a sudden." Her voice portrayed hurt, her eyes welling with tears, "I-I don't know why you think we are playing a game, but what would your father think of you acting like this? I would hate to see you pulled out of school because of lies Marinette has told you about me." Lila's smile was full of feigned innocence as she looked around at the class that had come to stand beside her. Lila sent a look of warning at Adrien and Marinette, which went unseen by the rest of the group. It only served to infuriate Adrien and once more rile up Marinette's anger.

“Oh hell no, Lila!” Marinette seethed. “How dare you try to threaten Adrien with his father after sexually harassing him and making him bleed!” If looks could kill, Lila would be dead right now. Lila responded with her own glare but she failed to inspire any fear in the other girl. 

“Perhaps my father is playing this game with you, Rossi, but I assure you, I. Am. Not.” Adrien said in a low cold voice cutting off her response to Marinette, a vicious grin on his face. “I warned you that if you hurt the people I love, you would regret it. I meant every word and I fully intend to fulfill my  promise.” 

There were several confused shouts suddenly from her ‘court’. "What are you talking about?" "What is happening?" "Who knew sunshine could be so terrifying…" 

Marinette went to respond, but Adrien grabbed her hand, pulling her close to him, before turning and walking away from the group. His vicious grin was still firmly in place, causing several people to stumble out of their way. 

“Adrien?” Marinette asked, startled out of her pre-rant focus when he grabbed her hand. He didn't respond to the table or her, so she chucked one last narrow-eyed glare at the devil woman behind them before allowing him to pull her from the school. 

Marinette heard the flapping sound just in time. “Adrien, watch out! Tikki spots on!” It's a good thing they had made it to an alley and away from prying eyes. One quick flick and the yoyo swallowed the purple Akuma before releasing a pure white butterfly back into the air seconds after. Marinette de-transformed as she ran back to her still-blinking kitty and hugged him fiercely. 

“We have to calm down. We can't let Hawkbutt get either of us, especially not over that devil girl!” Marinette huffed before initiating the breathing exercise they had been working on together to stay calm. They walked as they breathed together, only minimal attention to their surroundings. 

Once they had settled down, the duo found themselves under their tree in the park, Marinette sitting sideways and snuggled up on Adrien's lap. Adrien's head rested on top of hers. They silently agreed to bask in the moment together, warmed by the sunlight that filtered down from the branches and the warm breeze that lightly ruffled their hair, bringing the sounds of birds and laughter to them. 

Adrien pulled away first, frowning. “Ok Bugginette, we need a plan, and we kneaded it last week.” He got a wry smile out of her when he kneaded her stomach as he said it. He watched as a feral grin took over her face as she replied, “Silly kitty, I have at least five complete and ready to roll out. I was simply waiting for more ammo and, of course, for you to agree.” Marinette booped his nose, her grin softening as she gazed at him. 

Adrien smiled softly back at her, chuckling. “Of course you do. I don't know how I ever expected anything else from such a purr-illlant mastermind.” He teased, taking advantage of their position to tickle her until she gasped, “I give! Hahaha, I, I give." 

Marinette pouted and rolled her eyes at him once she had caught her breath, "You are incorrigible, you know that?" Adrien just smirked and sang, "But you looove me anyway." She sighed, but he could see the smile she was trying to hide. 

“Alright, Kitty, ready to skin a fox?” Marinette asked, standing up and reaching a hand down for him, eyebrow cocked expectantly. Adrien merely grinned mischievously, as he allowed her to help him up. Then he pulled her hand closer and bent over it with a kiss. Looking up through his lashes, he murmured, “I will always follow you, my Princess.” 

Causing Marinette to blush bright red. “You…I...just….it should be illegal how cute you are!” She shouted, flustered as she pulled her hand back slightly before covering Adrien's face with it. 

Chapter Text

The confrontation in the courtyard happening on a Monday has some pitfalls they discovered. Not that the pair had planned to confront her, really, they got swept up in the revelations and rush of emotions. If she could go back, she would have dragged them both away before it could happen. Sadly, the rabbit was not active right now, so they would have to deal. No biggie, she did this all the time during Akuma attacks; reevaluate and calculate odds and then strike fast and hard. Should be easy, right? 

Marinette sighed, pulling the thoroughly chewed pencil out of her mouth and pursing her lips at the destruction she inadvertently caused to it as she brooded. She looked around her history class and realized that she had no idea what assignment everyone was working on. She had been brooding when the teacher gave the instructions. 

A sharp poke in her ribs brought her attention to her right, where her dashing knight in homework studies sat. He was smirking in that infuriatingly knowing way that did things to her insides.  'Nope, stop that thought right there, focus instead on the notes he is sliding before me.'  Marinette locked eyes with him and beamed before looking down and figuring out what she missed. 

The pros to the confrontation happening as it did, was that the air was finally clear about how Marinette and Adrien had been feeling about Lila and the situation.

After the blow-up, they sat and compared notes, being sure to dig deep into feelings and thoughts during and after each experience.

This talk led to Adrien's horror as he realized he had told Mari to ignore Lila  after  Lila had threatened her. Before he could even begin to apologize, she had told him it was ok. She explained that it helped her to step back and realize that going head-on by herself was not the smartest move. Yes, she had felt hurt because it sounded like he was saying she didn't matter, her feelings didn't matter.  

Then it was Adrien's turn. Marinette was mortified hearing Adrien's POV as she, Ladybug her, stormed down and almost violently called Lila out in front of him. She apologized, saying she realized after Lila was akumatized just how wrong she was to leap in like that. She had, again, got caught up in her emotions watching Lila lie like that about her alter ego to her crush. 10/10 would have changed that too. He told her of his own dressing down of Lila, which had seemed effective at the time. She came back to school and got Marinette reinstated with another lie as he had demanded. He really shouldn't have been surprised when Mari jumped on him. Teary and awestruck at how much he had cared even pre-relationship. 

Then, they got down to business. Plotting, planning, and backup plotting.

Now, it is lunch on Tuesday, and they realized they had forgotten something important. 

The whole class had been there. 

They had seen and heard them confront Lila. So, here they were, trading glances as their respective 'best friends' cornered them in the courtyard. They were  so   close  to escaping scot-free to the bakery, but Alya and Nino knew them too well. 

"Ok, what the heck is this?" Alya said suspiciously as she waved her hand between Adrien and Marinette. "It seems like you two are communicating through looks or something. I noticed you guys seemed closer, but what the heck happened, Girl?" Alya was upset, and like a bloodhound on the scent, she had bitten down on this tidbit. How the heck was Marinette going to get out of this?

"Uh," Marinette responded intelligently, sharing another look with Adrien. with a deep sigh, she put a hand on Alya's shoulder in scary synchronicity and timing to Adrien placing his on Nino's. Nino and Alya blinked and shared their own look before Adrien spoke. 

"We need to talk guys," Adrien said, his voice slightly nervous but determined. He watched as they stared at him, blinking for longer than expected. Marinette saved him from their shocked stare by linking Alya's arm with hers and quickly pulling at her urgently. None of the other three could understand what her sudden urgency was until Adrien spotted Lila scanning the courtyard from the top of the stairs. He followed his Lady's lead as usual and grabbed Nino, yanking him behind the girls and trying to act normal. Whatever that was anymore. 

"Ok, girl, seriously! First, Adrien storms up to Lila's table yesterday, and it seems like bodysnatchers have invaded because, damn, that was a scary performance, Sunshine." Alya's sass is oozing throughout her little speech, waving her hand in Adrien's direction as they get settled in Marinette's room. She ends, eyebrows raised, looking slightly overwhelmed with her need to understand what the heck was going on. 

"Then today, it's like business as usual until lunch when you two are suddenly working as a team and trying to escape us." She turns to Marinette here, her eyebrows furrowing, disappointment clear, and Marinette sighs, knowing what is coming. 

"Girl! I thought we talked about your aversion to Lila. It seemed the last couple of months you have been getting better about excluding her and bashing her."

"Alya, Nino, we would love to bring you into the fold, but you have to promise to keep an open mind and not interrupt as we explain ourselves." 

Adrien jumped in before Marinette could speak her frustration at her friend's lack of faith. They wanted them back on their side, after all, not to alienate them. No matter how much they wanted to scream about the hypocritical treatment Marinette had been experiencing from Alya.

"Uh, Dude," Nino chuckled nervously, as he played with his headphones, "it uh kinda sounds like your about to draft us into a cult or something..." 

Adrien blinked, blankly a minute, as he ran through the conversation and then Nino's comment again. He tilted his head to the side, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, Nino? I don't really understand how you got that." 

Alya thought Adrien's confusion was cute but worried about his role in things. "He means we are concerned that Marinette has somehow biased you against Lila and that she's going to use the fact that you are on her side to get us to harass Lila too." Alya's body language seemed to back up her statement, and didn't that just burn Marinette all the more. They really thought that she would be petty and deceitful now instead of just jealous. 

Marinette sat stewing, lips pursed into a tight line. Trying desperately not to blow up on the couple before her on the chaise, or at least Alya. She noticed that Nino had frowned at Alya's 'revision' to his statement. 

"Are you aware of what you make me feel? Right now, I feel invisible to you, like my feelings are not real. You never really listen to my side of anything that concerns Lila anymore. You are always quick to see me as overreacting... Have you always thought so little of me, Alya?" Marinette questioned, her voice was a shaky mixture of anger and hurt. 

Marinette hadn't realized that she was shaking until Adrien came and stood beside her, taking her hand in his and giving a quick peck to her knuckles. Marinette took a deep breath, closing her eyes and leaning on Adrien understanding his silent plea for what it was.   Do not get Akumatized please, M'Lady. This is not worth it. You are not alone. I got your back.

Alya was shocked at Marinette's words. She totally listened to her BFF! She didn't really see her as a bad person, Alya just thought Marinette could overreact at times in regards to those that she viewed as a threat to her possible relationship with Adrien. 

On the other hand, if Mari's little interaction with Adrien just now means they were a couple now? Then, she wouldn't be jealous, and Lila's "concerned statements" would make no sense... Alya felt sick as she considered this new development.

Wait a moment...didn't Lila say she was dating Adrien recently...If that's the case, then either Adrien is cheating, or I've been a horrible friend .  And Adrien has never struck me to be that cruel...  Alya suddenly felt a weight settling in her stomach. 

She winced, biting her lip, unsure anymore that she was in the right. Alya saw Adrien turn to her amidst her freakout and pushed the feelings away. This was not the time to have a breakdown. It was even more important now to find the truth, with everything she had thought a fact up in the air. If she had been hurting her BFF this whole time while she believed a liar, then Alya had a lot to make up for, and she wanted to start now. 

Adrien narrowed his eyes at her. A chill went through Alya because that look was colder than he had worn yesterday when he had glared at Lila... and man didn't that just solidify her growing horror. 

"I can see from your expression that maybe you are finally thinking things through." He said in a level voice. Alya gulped but hesitantly nodded. If she was hoping that her agreement would bring back the sunshine, She was seriously mistaken. 

Adrien's face soured a moment before it settled into a disappointed frown. Before he could speak, Nino laid a hand on Alya's shoulder bring her attention to her boyfriend, who also looked disappointed. 

"Als, You know I hate when you try to put words in my mouth. I've lost track of how many times I've mentioned I don't like how Lila speaks about Marinette and Adrien. You always say that Lila is just concerned, but like her behavior is totally sus, babe. I have known Mari longer than you and every time you tell me the new thing Lila is 'concerned' about, I trust Lila a little less. I'm really concerned about your relationship with her, Als it's not healthy. And the way you've been criticizing Mari because of it is really uncool."

"I-I recognize now that I have not been doing my due diligence with some things. A-And jumping to conclusions again." Alya began stuttering a bit as it was hard to admit to herself, much less out loud. "But in my defense, I watched Mari's stalkerish and jealous actions when Kagami and Lila first came! How she tried to sabotage that friendship game so that Kagami wouldn't get to see Adrien, despite that meaning Marinette wouldn't get to see him either. And following and spying on Adrien and Lila's date..." Alya huffed, cheeks pink from embarrassment or anger. No one was sure. Alya's eyes had narrowed, and normally Nino would be afraid or shrink in on himself, but this time she had gone too far. 

Adrien interrupted her by taking a step towards her, a deep frown on his face. "It was not a date Alya, despite whatever Lila may say. She tricked me into meeting her there and then proceeded to try to tell me she was a descendant of a superheroine. Specifically the fox heroine and that she still had her miraculous. Ladybug came storming over and called her out on her interview on your blog about being her best friend." Adrien tried to keep the vicious disgust of Lila's actions from leaking into his response... Ok, so maybe he didn't try that hard. I mean having her all over him was horrible even then. Slimy fox.

Adrien was brought out of his thoughts by a whisper from Alya. "...Said what?" He looked at her properly. Seeing her stunned face, he could guess what she had asked. Alya was suddenly pacing with a murderous expression on her face before he could say anything. His Cheshire grin faded to confusion at this sudden change. 

Marinette, however, knew  exactly  what was riling Alya. She tried not to but could not stop the smug, satisfied smile that slid across her face at this development. Now, Alya would understand why she hated Lila so much... well, maybe not unless she told her secret, and with how Alya seemed to distance herself at the word of the shiny new kid... there was no way she was revealing her identity today, at least. 

Her smile did not go unnoticed by Nino, but he just assumed that she was enjoying Alya being the one getting riled up this time. After a few moments of continued pacing and exclamations of, "THAT LYING WITCH!" Nino reached out and grabbed Alya's hand, stopping her movements and anger momentarily. "Als, Babe, why don't you come sit down so we can listen to the Dude and Dudette about their plans?" 

That got Alya's attention. She whipped around toward Adrien and Marinette before stomping, yes stomping, over to them and angrily poking into Adrien's chest. "How long?" She growled at him. "How long have you known and not said a word about that lying snake?" 

Adrien raised his eyebrow at Alya.  Is she trying to place blame on me alone?  Adrien knew he should have said something sooner. However, by the time he realized that fact, Lila had taken over the class. Besides, as an aspiring reporter, Alya hadn't even tried to verify any information. So, he was not about to shoulder all the blame. 

"Ladybug called her out her first day at school. I didn't say anything then because she got akumatized after being called out. I truly hoped that it was merely her way of making friends and fitting into class. I wanted to talk with her, but she left 'out of the country' after that for a while." Adrien used his hands to air quotes and rolled his eyes at the situation as he spoke. A look of disappointment on his face. 

"Then she came back, and I watched how every time Marinette called her out or tried to point out holes in her story, you all shut her down and yelled at her. 'If no one believed our Everyday Ladybug, who would believe me?' I thought. I even convinced Mari to step back, which I am still upset at myself for. Whether it worked out at that point or not." He paused here to send a sad smile to Marinette. Marinette simply squeezed his hand, which had never released hers this whole time, giving him a soft and loving look in response. 

"I forgive you, My Prince." She whispered sincerely, causing Adrien to blush. Marinette loved to turn the tables now that she knew she could make him blush with terms of endearment too. 

Clearing his throat, he turned back to a slightly softened Alya to finish his story. "Anyway. Then, She got Marinette expelled without any solid evidence, and I watched as you searched and couldn't seem to find any evidence. So, I approached Lila and made her a deal. I would be her friend, no complaints, so long as she fixed this and got Marinette reinstated in school." 

Both Nino and Alya had snorted when he mentioned his deal. Adrien knew he was naive at times, but it had worked, so it couldn't have been that bad, right? Right. Adrien gave a small nod to himself before he turned to Marinette to pick up the narrative then.

Marinette's puckered her lips off to the side, "Yeah, she got me reinstated. I couldn't believe that the adults all fell for her 'rare disease that sometimes causes her to lie compulsively,' excuse. I mean seriously, Damocles was crying after it all!" Marinette threw her hands up before crossing them and sitting down in her computer chair in a huff. 

"The only thing that changed was that she was more careful about how and when she came after me. She really likes the girls' bathroom, which is gross. Why would any sane person want to stay in there for an extended period." Marinette rolled her eyes, unaware she had just crashed Alya and Nino's thought process. Then she shot forward in her chair, eyes wide and concerned. "No offense Adrien!" She said, sending an apologetic look his way.

Adrien held up a hand before she could apologize or explain. "I know what you mean, no offense taken." He sent her a smile before they both jumped at Alya's shriek. Apparently, Alya.exe has unfrozen and rebooted.

Alya was up and pacing again, too upset to stay still. "What?! What did she do to you girl? ooooh, I am so gonna kill that liar." 

Marinette shifted around and licked her lips. She was hesitant to say more until Alya had calmed down a bit.

"Alya! while I appreciate you getting upset for my sake. I would rather not have to see you become Lady Wifi again..." She said instead. Alya froze and looked at her before exhaling loudly and plopping next to her boyfriend, who took her hand and rubbed her back soothingly. "Just breathe, Babe. She will get what's coming to her." 

Once Alya had calmed down, Marinette briefly brought up the bathroom bullying before quickly heading off more yelling by going over their plans.

Adrien helped pull out all their papers as well as explained his part in the plans. Marinette normally would have been a little afraid of the crafty gleam in Alya's eye right now. Usually, it had meant she had another plan to get Adrien and her alone. But now, now she shared it and was happy to give her a part in the takedown. Alya had some good ideas and she was certain she could complete her part in time for Friday. 

The next few days passed in a bit of a blur for the fearsome foursome. 

Alya sent a message out on the Ladyblog asking Ladybug for an interview. Lila had slid over to her during lunch and "innocently" asked why she didn't just ask her, Ladybug's BFF, to get an interview for Alya. Lila insisted the message on the blog might tip hawkmoth off and be a problem. Alya had a heck of a time not glaring at the girl honestly. 

She managed to smile and respond with a simple, "Well you are so busy lately I didn't want to interrupt you for this. I'm sure Ladybug will find a way to keep the meeting safe. After all, I didn't specify any times. I merely let it be known that  if  she was available, I'd be honored to do another interview. You know I might even get a cool clip of her gushing about her bestie!" Alya had leaned over here with a sly wink and elbow. Then she had quickly made an excuse to leave and tried her hardest not to run away. 

Meanwhile, Nino was making rounds with their classmates. Just casual Chats, mostly. He did try to drop some nuggets of truth and doubts about some of Lila's lies around everyone. 

"Hey did you dudes ever watch that interview with Jagged a couple of months back? I know, I know. I'm kinda late to the scene, but it popped up on my feed when I took a break from mixing my latest tunes. I thought it was really cool that he supports Chat Noir despite not really liking cats you know..." 

"Hey, dudettes look what I found on my phone again!" Nino said excitedly before sitting next to Alix, Myline, Juleka, and Rose. "You ladies remember when we all were part of that rad music video with Clara Nightingale?!" He said this loudly enough that the rest of the class heard it and made their way over everyone offering their own exclamations of excitement and remembrance. Nino caught Lila's look of annoyance before she left the classroom.

 No one else had it seemed to, but that's ok because some of them were wondering which video Lila was in. He was all too happy to tell them he had looked and hadn't found any. 

On Wednesday, Nino approached Rose and Juleka in the morning to ask for a favor. "Hey, dudettes! Hey Rose I was wondering if you still email or send letters to Prince Ali at all?" Rose looked at Juleka in surprise a moment before smiling widely. "Of course Nino!" She replied excitedly. "I love whenever he gets a chance to message me back. It's so cool that Lila gets to go help him with his charities. I hope I can go do that soon as well!" Rose was practically floating as she spoke in a dreamy voice. 

"Perfect!" Nino cheered, popping her little bubble and startling both girls. 

"Perfect?" they questioned together, confused. 

"Yeah, listen, I was hoping you could keep it on the down-low and help a fella out." He said in a low voice, looking around for Lila. Not seeing her, he continued. "I was thinking about how much Lila has been doing with the charities and such and wondered if you could ask Prince Ali which one they are working on now so we can all pool in a donation or something you know? Something to surprise her before she leaves next." 

Rose looked ecstatic at the suggestion, bouncing on her toes before giving him a big hug. Juleka watched her girlfriend with a soft smile and nodded at Nino before they both left to go to class. Rose had whipped out her phone immediately and with Julekas mumbled suggestions, the email was well underway. Perfect. 

Alya was thrilled when Wednesday night brought Ladybug to her balcony door. The superheroine seemed unsure but agreed to an interview. Alya was not surprised at this point when Ladybug pursed her lips in annoyance at a question regarding Lila. 

"I really wish you had come to ask me about this Lila girl before you had posted that video." The superheroine stated tartly. "Besides the fact that her statement about being my best friend was a lie. Chat is obviously my best friend. Her saying it and you posting that to the blog could have put her and her family in trouble. What if hawkmoth had believed her? Maybe that's why she has been akumatized so many times now." 

Alya winced at that. She had not even stopped to consider the risk of publishing that video to her blog. She had thought at the time that if Lila was willing to do the interview, then Ladybug had agreed it was safe. Now Alya wondered why Lila  hadn't  been attacked yet or kidnapped...

Chapter Text

Friday morning found Marinette shuffling from foot to foot nervously. What if Lila's mom is just like her? What if she is worse or... Marinette shook her head free of doubt and looked back up at the Italian embassy before her. She took one deep breath before striding confidently up and through the doors. A few smart words with the secretary led to her sitting in the waiting room. Signora Rossi was in a meeting and would be able to speak with her shortly. 

Marinette found she needn't have worried so much about Mrs. Rossi being anything like her daughter, other than in looks. She was a sweet woman who was overjoyed to speak with a classmate of her daughters. Although she was confused at first. "Lila told me that school has been canceled for several months now. When was it you saw her last?" Mrs. Rossi inquired, her head tilted slightly and brow puckered. 

Marinette sat stunned for a moment. She really shouldn't have been so surprised. After all, she had to have told her mother something to let her stay at home so long while she was "traveling." 

Clearing her throat, Marinette shrank a bit, biting her lip. "Um, I beg your pardon Signora, but School hasn't been closed for more than a day, and only during Akuma attacks. Everyone is required to return if the school day is not finished once Ladybug reverses all the damage and it is safe to do so...." She trailed off as Mrs. Rossi blinked and frowned. "That can't be right. I would have gotten a call if Lila was missing school." 

Marinette raised her hand tentatively. "About that Ma'am, that's part of why I am here. I am the class president and I was a little worried about how Lila is doing. Between all of your traveling for charities, I wanted to make sure Lila was still getting seen by a doctor for all her ailments. I hope I am not overstepping!" She said hurriedly when Mrs. Rossi's frown deepened. "I'm sure you take utmost care of your daughter! It's just, that I stopped by the nurse to see how I could help accommodate Lila's latest injury during class activities, and the nurse told me she didn't have any medical history or records for her. I would hate for Lila's wrist and ankle to get any worse because she had forgotten to bring in her doctor's notes." 

Mrs.Rossi was not happy, to say the least. At first, she accused Marinette of lying but upon seeing Lila's interview on the Ladyblog, she was quick to thank her for bringing this issue to light and asked if the girl had the principal's number by chance. Lucky for her, Marinette had gotten it that morning from Markov. 

Who, at Max’s behest months ago, had been video and audio documenting Lila's interactions with the class. Max had approached Marinette two weeks ago about a video Markov had gotten. Max had pushed his glasses up on his nose with a nervous frown after she had met up with him in the empty classroom after school as he had requested. 

“Marinette…How long has Lila been threatening you?” Max finally decided to just be blunt about it. She had paled and crossed her arms over her stomach, holding herself in a discreet hug.

 “I…how did you find out?” She whispered, biting her lips and avoiding eye contact. She missed the way his frown deepened and his eyes looking over her in concern. 

“I have been having Markov doing video and audio surveillance of Lila for the last couple of months. I knew after she told me that she would put in a good word with Steve Jobs that something was fishy. Markov had alerted me last night that I needed to review his video due to an incident that day he had witnessed. After reviewing the day’s videos I had gone back and rewatched other videos and audio we had gotten and, well, I am concerned. Why have you not said anything?” 

Marinette looked up briefly, caught his frown, and winced. She really didn’t want to go into this with anyone. It wasn’t too bad anymore, and really she had it handled. Lila didn’t come to find her to attack her unless she brought attention to herself. A closer look at Max, however, and she saw that Markov was making a pouting face as well. Well shit, how could she not answer him now?

SIghing Marinette began pulling on one of her pigtails absently, looking out the window instead of making eye contact. “I didn’t say anything because every time I bring up discrepancies in Lila’s stories or illnesses I get glared at or yelled at. Lila knows how to turn things around when confronted, and seems to have a never-ending supply of tears. Seriously, she doesn’t drink nearly enough water to be that hydrated.” She said wryly hoping to lighten the atmosphere in the room but Max was not to be dissuaded by humor. 

“You could have brought it to the teachers or principal surely…” Max began slowly stopping when she huffed and crossed her arms again, clearly agitated.

“Oh, I did. Mrs. Bustier told me that I really shouldn’t accuse people of things like that. ‘It could ruin Lila’s future, Marinette.’” She said, doing a fair imitation of their teacher’s voice. “When I tried to show her pictures she just shook her head and told me she was disappointed with how far I was willing to go with my petty jealousy. That I needed to do a better job as a role model. I tried Mr.Damocles, but he simply threw back that Lila had a disorder and my complaining was not fair to Lila when she couldn’t help it. That I should try harder to make up with her so that she would stop attacking me.” Crap, Now she was fighting back tears and working on her breathing techniques because she would be damned if she let Lila be the cause of an akumatization.

She lost the war when Max tentatively walked over and hugged her. Accepting his comfort, she allowed herself to cry for a few minutes before locking down on her emotions again. She pulled back and wiped her eyes, giving Max a small smile. “Thank you, Max. I guess I needed that. It’s nice to have someone else believe me. Now, You have videos of her lies and her bullying me. what else have you found out?”

They had spent the next two hours pouring over footage and planning how they could use it. Max had sent her some key videos, regarding Jagged and Clara specifically, for her to use to inform the celebrities of the slander of their names. Marinette had felt lighter for days after that meeting. It was so nice to have another person that she could swap eye rolls and sighs with whenever Lila would start getting on a roll with crazier and flimsier stories. 

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Adrien was also busy Thursday after school. He had finally gotten Nathalie to schedule and make a meeting with his father possible. It had taken a few days and insisting that it was important. He also had to threaten to take the issue to the press instead if she preferred... but at that point, Nathalie had informed him sternly that he need not do that; he already had an appointment, didn't he see it in his schedule? Adrien decided to overlook how alarmed Nathalie had looked momentarily at his nonchalant suggestion. 

Adrien had gotten a pep talk from Plagg before he left his room. By that, he means Plagg told him not to ‘fall apart like rotten cheese’ and stand up to his father. A deep breath and a knock and he was in. 

"Adrien." His father intoned after he had entered and closed the door, not even looking up from his tablet. "Nathalie has informed me you have something pressing to speak to me about?" Here he glanced over at his son, his eyebrow raised briefly before looking back down to fix some hem or another. 

Adrien cleared his throat, "Yes father. It is about Lila." That got his father's attention and, hoping not to lose it, Adrien quickly went on to describe how she acted around him. His father had dismissed it all at first saying, "She is your co-model, she merely wishes to get to know you better. Who knows, maybe one day it could be a beneficial match for the company..." Adrien had gagged loudly at that and paled. "You must be joking, father!" He had interrupted, unable to hear any more of that thought process. Adrien was too distressed to realize his voice was an octave too high, or that his father was glaring at him for interrupting his speech. 

"Were you not listening at all to what I just said?! She grabs on to me, constantly invading my personal space despite me asking her multiple times not to do that!" Adrien shuddered before pulling out his phone and marching closer to his father. 

Gabriel was surprised by this change of attitude. That was quickly dismissed for anger as he caught sight of the pictures that his son thrust under his nose. Snatching the phone, he flicked through a few pictures. Gabriel's face became colder until he froze as a video played. 

"You know Adrien, you really should be nicer to me. I have your father wrapped around my finger. I would hate for him to hear about how horrible you have been treating me. He might even pull you out of school." Lila purred, stroking Adrien's arm possessively. 

"Please stop rubbing up on me, Lila. I've told you multiple times I do not like you invading my space like this. Besides, all I did was tell the group we were not dating. Because it's true! we are not in a relationship, no matter how much you curl around me or try to kiss my cheek." 

He watched as Lila pulled back and glared at his son. "Exactly." She hissed before she harshly poked her finger into his chest, making him wince as he felt her nail dig a hole there. "Your father has left you in my care, and I've decided that you are safer by my side as my boyfriend. So, if you don't want to be pulled from school, you had best get with the program!" Lila then flounced out of the empty library with a huff. The camera moved from around the bookcase it had been poking out of and toward Adrien. 

"Oh my god, Adrien. Are you ok?!"

Gabriel recognized Miss Dupain-Cheng's voice from the multiple competitions she had won. "I'm sorry I should have come over to help you once I realized how horrible she was being." 

Adrien looked over at the camera in surprise, before he blinked at Marinette behind the camera. "You mean you took a video of that? You got what she said to me on tape?" 

"Omg, I'm so sorry I shouldn't have done that! Yes, I did, but I promise I'll delete it right away. I should have known you wouldn't want to be recorded with her doing that!" The camera shook as the person moved to turn it off. He heard Adrien tell her that no, he was glad she got the video and to please send it to him. Also, Adrien told her he didn't blame her for not coming over, after all, Lila had already gotten her expelled once. 

"Wrapped around her finger am I," Gabriel snarled, his hand squeezing the phone tightly, "I'll show that little fox just how much sway she has. Nathalie!"  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday morning the whole school was a buzz, as a limo drove up to the school, and it wasn't Chloe's. To everyone's surprise, The Jagged Stone and his crocodile fang popped out. They were even more surprised when an embarrassed Marinette came out next. "Uncle Jagged! I literally live right next door! Why did you insist on me riding with you to school?" 

"I told you Little Rocker, you gotta enter in style to get the point across!" He leaned closer so no one else would hear, "Besides, no one slanders my name and hurts my niece and gets away with it." He growled, casting a glare at the other students around him briefly, before jumping back up and clapping, a big smile on his face. "Now then, where is this class of yours? Can't wait to tell them the stellar news." 

They walked into the courtyard just in time to hear a door slam open. Looking up, they saw Mrs. Rossi striding purposefully away from the principal's office. One Lila Rossi was wailing about child abuse, as her mother dragged her by the ear towards her classroom. Marinette took particular satisfaction in watching Lila’s lies finally fall flat on the students around her who simply scurried out of Mrs. Rossi’s way. 

Jagged rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Oh ho! please tell me that's the little vermin that's been bugging you Marinette!" He glanced over at her with glee written on his face. Marinette sighed, but nodded and then almost face-planted when Jagged grabbed her arm and pulled her suddenly. Exclaiming that they ‘had to hurry so that they could catch up.’ After all, they had a few papers for Lila and they shouldn't miss her final performance. Penny scolded him for his behavior, but her words seemed to roll off him like white noise. Sighing, Penny pulled Jagged's arm from Marinette's and allowed him to pull her instead. She bid Marinette follow them. 

It was then that Adrien called out to her. "Mari! Hey! I didn't realize you would be bringing Jagged in today too!" His grin was wide and excited as he glanced between her and Jagged, who had stopped to assess the danger when he heard Marinette’s name. 

Marinette groaned loudly. “I didn’t either! I came downstairs this morning to find him and Penny in the living room. Informing my parents about everything that had happened in the class.” Marinette was particularly annoyed about that as her parents had rounded on her in shock and fury that she had not told them what she was going through so they could help her. It had taken too long to get them to calm down and it was only thanks to Tikki eating Akuma’s outside the house that they had avoided getting akumatized again. 

“Adrien, I have a meeting in half an hour.” A voice piped in from behind Adrien. Turning slightly Marinette saw Nathalie who was carrying Mr. Agreste, via tablet, much as she usually did. She turned her surprised face back to look at Adrien. She met his eyes long enough to see him wink before Mr.Agreste called her attention back by clearing his throat. “Miss Dupain-Cheng, a pleasure to see you again. We really must be heading to the class, however, I would like to speak with you after this…unpleasantness is complete.” 

“Of course, Mr.Agreste! I look forward to it.” She replied stunned and confused at this sudden turn of events. She had thought Adrien’s father would simply sue Lila, not come in person–well, as close to in-person as he ever has for school anyway.

 “I hear there have been some…issues that you have helped Adrien with. I would like to thank you properly for looking after my son’s best interests. Would you be available to join us for dinner tonight?” Gabriel raised an eyebrow when her only answer for a few moments was to gape at him. The sight knocked her out of it–or maybe it was Adrien’s subtle elbow in her side. 

Coughing, she responded affirmatively–she hoped with only minimal stuttering.  Her brain wasn’t really caught up yet with the situation. Hearing the shouts intensifying near her classroom moved her to sprint after Jagged, pulling her backpack in front of her while she ran remembering the contingencies she swore she was taking.  

She reached the room in time to take in the chaos that was pervading. Her classmates were in varying states of disarray. Nino and Alya were consoling Mylene and Rose who had angry tears pouring down their faces. It seemed like Ivan and Kim were barely holding back on murdering the cowering Italian student. Max had a smug look on his face, which upon another look around seemed to be from the streaming shifting videos and audio playing on the whiteboard. 

Mrs. Bustier and Mrs. Rossi were standing mouths agape and hands in fists watching the montage. She barely registered Juleka moving from the huddle around Rose to hug her father. Marinette’s eyes were watching Lila as the girl straightened suddenly. Darting eyes had focused on something in the air and a feral grin had stretched across her face. A quick look told her Markov was filming. Good. Now to end this before someone gets hurt. Catching sight of the object that Lila had begun trying to discreetly move toward sent Marinette’s bag to the floor. 

She opened the jar that was left in her hands, before taking a running leap. She scooped the Akuma into the jar as she flipped in mid-air falling into a crouch next to the windows. She calmly screwed the lid back onto the jar and set it on the desk next to her. Ignoring the shocked faces of the entire class minus Adrien. His father looked particularly stunned not that anyone noticed it, or when it fell briefly to discontent, before smoothing into his normal disinterest. 

She had no time to react as Lila flew at her in a rage. They fell in a tangle of limbs rolling around for a bit until a sharp scratch startled Marinette. Working on ladybug instincts she rolled her body pushing Lila up and over her with a kick from her legs letting go of the Italian girl. Lila flew off with a screech before the shattering of glass froze the room. 

Marinette in her panic had forgotten they were too close to the outside windows. When she kicked Lila over, she hadn't expected the girl to go through a window, much less one that was two stories up! At that horrifying thought, she jolted up ignoring the pain in her side as she raced to the window. Lila’s scream had been cut off not long after she flew through the window. Gulping, Marinette looked down toward the unforgiving concrete. She blinked, once, twice, three times before slumping in relief against the window sill, her whole body falling as her legs gave out. 

The class ran to the window at that point, also horrified at the thought of Lila splattering on the ground outside. As it turned out there was a tree situated outside the window she was thrown out. Luck was with Lila today, as she had fallen into the tree slowing her fall and allowing her to grab on enough so that when she hit the ground all she had were cuts and bruises. 

The class let out a collective sigh as the police entered the room. Turns out Mr.Damocles had called them after the screaming match with Mrs.Rossi and Lila. Ms. Bustier stepped forward then to answer their questions. 

Marinette took the opportunity to stand back up intending to go and add her statement about the fight and how Lila ended up outside with cuts and bruises. 

Thank goodness Adrien had been walking over to check on her. He caught her as she stumbled with a groan after her first step. “Mari!! What's wrong?” His outburst caught everyone's attention despite Lila being walked back into the room at that moment by an officer. 

“I-I don't know. My left side really hurts! I didn't even realize it till I took that step.” Marinette stuttered out confused, pushing on the spot that hurt slightly to help with the pain. Adrien quickly picked her up and sat her on the desk next to them so that he could check her over. Marinette hissed and winced at the jostling but didn't complain. 

Adrien's sharp intake of breath when he got her to release her hand was not encouraging. Mari gasped as she brought her hand up higher to look at. Her gasp was echoed as her hand came into view—with blood all over the palm. 

“Shit, Mari. She managed to cut your side! It's not too deep but it is bleeding quite a bit.” Adrien said, his voice trembling in worry. “We have to get you to the hospital!” That said he picked her up and turned to the adults. Jagged was quick to usher him out insisting the cops lead the charge to the hospital so they could speed. Roger spluttered a bit at that, before informing them that an ambulance was outside already just in case. 

There was a bit of a blur after that of running and paramedics looking over her, then the hospital and stitches. Through it all, she kept seeing Lila’s crazy-eyed stare and smug grin. Kept hearing the almost maniacal laughter the girl let loose as Adrien ran out of the room with her. It was disconcerting how much satisfaction she saw and heard from the sausage-haired girl then. She always knew she was evil but that's a whole new level than she had ever thought possible. 

She learned later that Lila was not only being charged with attempted murder for her actions that day but a slew of things. Most notably with assisting a terrorist. Apparently, during one of the Akumas before that day,  Alya got footage of Lila chasing and jumping after the Akuma butterfly before it reached its intended target. Saying things like “oh yes this will teach them!” And “Hawkmoth it is me, Lila, this time I won't fail you, Ladybug will go down and the miraculous will be yours.” Not to mention the video of her glee-filled face at the appearance of the Akuma the day she attacked Marinette.

Lila was extradited pretty quickly out of the country after that. Her trial was done in Italy to ensure the girl could not take advantage of an Akuma during it all. 

Thanks to Markov, Marinette didn't need to go to Lila’s trial and she was thankful for that. Instead, she got to cuddle her boyfriend and be pampered at school, as the class tried to make things up to her. Despite her protest that she didn't need them waiting on her hand and foot, she already forgave them. 

It was slow going to bring the trust back but after a couple of months, the class was more or less back to normal. 

On Heroes Day the class scheduled another picnic, where they all brought different dishes, music, or entertainment. After enjoying some small talk and delicious desserts Kim stood up and did his best to clink his plastic cup. Much to the class's amusement. 

Once the laughter died down from that, he turned and raised his glass toward where Marinette sat on Adrien’s lap. 

After Lila was gone, the pair had wasted no time announcing to the class and Adrien’s father that they were dating. The class was ecstatic! His father was more reserved about it. Seeming frustrated before Marinette’s Maman pulled him away after a family meet-up. After whatever Mrs.Cheng had said to Gabriel, the man was much more accepting of the relationship. 

Kim clearing his throat brought Marinette back to the present. She snuggled into Adrien more as they waited to see what the boy would say. 

“To Marinette, our everyday Ladybug who saw through the witch's lies and despite our horrible actions never gave up on us! Thank you for believing in us Mari.” 

“Hear hear!” Several people said at once before drinking their soda. Marinette turned her face into Adrien’s shaking shoulder to hide her flaming face. 

Adrien’s laughter grew at her embarrassment. His grin was big and wide before softening as he leaned down to kiss the crown of her head. 

“He’s right, Bug. You never did completely give up on them despite all the disappointment and glares. But then I knew you wouldn’t. That's just who you are as a person. You can't see injustice like that and not try to help. That's part of why I love you so much, you don't need a Miraculous to do miraculous things."

Marinette pulled back then, face still quite red but a smirk on her face. “Back at cha Mr. Can't See Anything But Good In People.” Then she pulled him down for a sweet kiss. Both of them murmured, “I love you,”  before settling in for the teasing and laughter that came with a class activity.